Nighthawks teams take aim at championships
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (UNG) is about to start a spring sports season that features the return of multiple teams that shined on the national stage in 2021. Plus, UNG's three winter sports teams are all in the midst of strong seasons.
"We are excited to see how our basketball and rifle teams finish out their already strong 2022 seasons, and we know the spring will offer another opportunity for our student-athletes to shine," Athletics Director Mary Rob Plunkett said. "We look forward to seeing them compete for championships."
Following an NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship in 2021, the UNG softball team ranks fifth nationally and is the preseason Peach Belt Conference (PBC) favorite this spring. It opens the year Feb. 5 against Delta State University and Mississippi College, part of a four-game opening weekend in Gulf Shores, Alabama, that also includes matchups with nationally ranked Valdosta State University and University of West Florida. The team's home opener is at noon Feb. 11 against nationally ranked Texas A&M Commerce.
We are excited to see how our basketball and rifle teams finish out their already strong 2022 seasons, and we know the spring will offer another opportunity for our student-athletes to shine. We look forward to seeing them compete for championships.
Mary Rob Plunkett
UNG athletics director
Journey Gurley won the NCAA Division II pole vault title last May and leads a UNG women's track and field team that tied for 19th at the NCAA Championships in Allendale, Michigan. Her team starts the season March 5 in a meet at Mount Berry, Georgia.
The UNG baseball team, which finished 30-15 and hosted the PBC championship series a year ago, opens 2022 with a three-game home series against nationally ranked Lee University beginning at 4 p.m. Feb. 4. It is part of a season-opening 14-game home stand for the Nighthawks, who are picked to finish second in the PBC.
Both tennis teams reached the NCAA tournament in 2021, with the men earning a spot in the NCAA Southeast Regional final and the women making the regional semifinals. Both teams start their season at Tusculum University on Feb. 5 and have their home openers Feb. 9 against Anderson University.
UNG's golf teams each spent portions of the fall in the national rankings. The men begin their spring campaign Feb. 14-15 in St. Augustine, Florida, and the women start the spring Feb. 21-22 in Lakeland, Florida.
While UNG has a strong lineup on tap for the spring, some of its winter sports are already making their presence felt. The women's basketball team is currently in the top 10 nationally as a contender in both the PBC and the NCAA. The rifle team ranks in the top 20 nationally and will take aim at a fourth Southern Conference championship in six seasons in the league, and the men's basketball team is on pace for its best season since 2015.
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